Students kept inside at Leigh Academy over police 'incident'

It follows an 'incident'

Students at the Leigh Academy in Dartford are on lockdown after the school received a tip-off from police.

The school on Green Street Green Road, told us they had been advised to keep students indoors throughout the school day following an ‘incident’ outside the school grounds.

Kent Police have confirmed the incident behind the lockdown.

A spokesperson said: “At approximately 9am on Tuesday May 16, a man attended Leigh Academy in Dartford and acted in a threatening manner.

“An officer, who happened to be attending the school, spoke to the man and words of advice were given.

“As a result of the incident, the academy made a decision to keep the children in the school during the lunchtime break.”

A police car had been spotted at the school site during the day.

Simon Beamish is CEO of Leigh Academies Trust which runs the school.

He said: “We were made aware of an incident by police this morning and as a precaution we have kept our students inside and restricted sixth formers from not going outside for lunch as normal, otherwise lessons are continuing and the school day is running as usual.

“This matter is purely a precaution following the police advice as we consider the safety of our students paramount.”

We understand students are not being let off the site unless there is a parent or guardian there to collect them.

Neighbouring Dartford FC and Goals Dartford both confirmed they had not heard any reports of an incident, nor had they heard from police.

Fleetdown Primary School, based nearby on Lunedale Road has not been contacted by police and is running as normal.